Mid-American Conference

Sunday’s MAC Baseball Results
Toledo 16, Saint Louis 8
Central Michigan 10, Stephen F. Austin 8
Northern Illinois 9, Central Arkansas 4
Arizona State 11, Miami 1 (7)
Miami 16, Arizona State 8
Purdue 10, Western Michigan 4
Morehead State 3, Ball State 2
Rider 6, Ohio 5 (11)
Florida Gulf Coast 8, Eastern Michigan 7
Sam Houston State 12, Kent State 6
UAB 6, Bowling Green 2

 
Stories courtesy of MAC Sports Information Departments
 
Toledo 16, Saint Louis 8
Boxscore
Kissimmee, Fla.— Toledo ended its season-opening trip to Florida on a high note, soundly defeating Saint Louis, 16-8, on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Rockets tallied 17 hits against the Billikens in a contest highlighted by a nine-run eighth inning. UT batted around twice and drew nine walks in the big win.
 
Senior AJ Montoya was 4-for-5 with a game-high five RBIs. Freshman Trace Hatfield and junior Ross Adolph provided the big hits for Toledo. Hatfield smoked a bases-clearing double to left-center field in the eighth inning and Adolph smacked a three-run home run to right field in the fifth. Every UT position player who started had at least one hit and one run.
 
Central Michigan 10, Stephen F. Austin 8
Boxscore
EDINBURG, Texas – Zach Heeke had three hits and Evan Kratt drove in three runs on Sunday as the Central Michigan baseball team closed its season-opening weekend with a 10-8 victory over Stephen F. Austin in Texas-Rio Grande Valley Al Ogletree Classic at UTRGV’s Edinburg Stadium.
 
The Chippewas (2-2) return to action on Thursday, Feb. 22, when they open a four-game series at New Mexico.
 
Northern Illinois 9, Central Arkansas 4
Boxscore
CONWAY, Ark. – Brad Wood (Orland Park, Ill./St. Laurence) finished three for four with a home run and four RBI, Samuel Vega (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Southwestern Junior College) went three for five with two RBI and the Northern Illinois University baseball team earned a 9-4 win over Central Arkansas in the final game of a three-game set Sunday.

Along with Wood, Hunter Bross (Scottsdale, Ariz./Mesa Community College) connected for a solo homer in the fifth and laced a double as he finished a near perfect two for three at the dish with two RBI while freshman pitcher Michael Lasiewicz (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) earned his first collegiate win.

Lasiewicz worked six solid innings, striking out eight batters and walking only three as he yielded four hits and two earned runs.

“It was great to see Las get his first career win,” Huskies’ head coach Mike Kunigonis said. “He threw very well and our bullpen did its job and shut things down behind him.”

NIU connected for a season-high 14 hits, including four extra base hits as they took two of three from the Bears (1-2) and are off to their best start since the 2015 season (3-0).

After three scoreless innings, NIU broke the game open in the fourth and fifth frames. Vega connected for his first home run in the fourth and the Huskies plated five runs in the fifth – highlighted by Bross’ homer. Wood roped an RBI single up the middle, Vega and Jake Dunham added run-scoring singles and Joe Jumonville (Munster, Ind./Munster) drove in a run on a fielder’s choice RBI. In all, the Huskies connected for six hits in the fifth.

“The offense came alive today which was very nice to see,” Kunigonis said. “We did a great job finishing the weekend. The team really battled and it showed.”

NIU led 7-0 – after another Wood RBI single in the sixth – before Central Arkansas fashioned a comeback with two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. The Huskies wouldn’t relent though as they responded with two more in the eighth – via a two-run single from Wood – to shut down the game and finish off the series.

The Huskies turned two double plays and used a combination of Lasiewicz, William Anderson (Columbus, Ind./Columbus East), Kyle Seebach (Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle Township), Matthew Hoffman (East Dubuque, Ill./Wahlert Catholic) and Mike Fuentes (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) on the mound to mire Bears’ hitters and hold UCA to only one extra base hit.

“I’m very excited for things to come with this group,” Kunigonis said. “Right now we’ll enjoy this series win and get back to work tomorrow.”

NIU (2-1) resumes action this coming Friday-Sunday when it travels to Western Kentucky for four games starting at 3 p.m. Feb. 23.

Arizona State 11, Miami 1 (7) -- Boxscore
Miami 16, Arizona State 8 – Boxscore
PHOENIX, Ariz. - For the second straight day the Miami baseball team battled Arizona State to a doubleheader split. The Sun Devils opened the day with an 11-1 win over the `Hawks before Miami rebounded for a big victory of its own, topping ASU 16-8 in the finale.
 
Game 2 Recap | Miami 16, Miami 8
 
Down 2-1 in the series, the Red & White came out fighting in the fourth and final contest of the weekend. After an ASU run in the bottom of the first, Miami answered with an eight spot in the away half of the second. A Hayden Senger RBI single plated the RedHawks' first run before a second came across a few batters later as Kyle Winkler drew a bases-loaded walk. Following an out, Ross Haffey reached on a fielding error by the ASU third baseman, which afforded Jordan Stephens the opportunity to come home and score. Landon Stephens made the error hurt even more as he launched a grand slam over the left field wall the very next at-bat, capping Miami's eight-run second.
 
A Sun Devil run in the home half of the second was answered by a Miami tally in the top of the third on a Carlos Texidor fielder's choice and ASU throwing error that brought Senger home.
 
Another single ASU run in the bottom of the fourth put the score at 9-3 in favor of Miami until a three-run bottom of the sixth cut the RedHawk lead in half. However, the Red & White countered right back with a three-run seventh courtesy of a well-executed Carlos Teixdor safety squeeze that plated Will Vogelgesang and a Winkler 2-RBI single that brought in Jordan Stephens and Texidor.
 
A pair of Sun Devil runs in the eighth kept ASU within striking distance entering the final inning, but MU put the game away with a four-run ninth. A Dallas Hall fielder's choice that scored one, a 2-RBI double from Haffey and a Landon Stephens RBI single iced it.
 
Jordan Stephens, who was making his Miami debut, went an impressive 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Winkler, Haffey, Landon Stephens, Senger and Texidor all finished with a multi-hit effort as well.
 
Game 1 Recap | Arizona State 11, Miami 1 (7 inn.)
 
The first game of the day was a forgetful one for the RedHawks as the Sun Devils cruised to an 11-1 victory behind some early scoring and a five-run seventh.
 
Miami's only run came across in the third, a Hall sacrifice fly that plated Texidor.
 
The game was called in the bottom of the seventh with the run rule in effect.

Purdue 10, Western Michigan 4
Boxscore
EMERSON, Ga. –  Western Michigan baseball had a one run lead through five innings but was unable to halt the Purdue offense as the Boilermakers scored eight runs in the final four innings to earn a 10-4 victory over the Broncos in the series finale.
 
On the weekend, WMU collected 22 hits and scored six runs against Big Ten powerhouse Purdue. Four players for WMU registered at least three hits with two having four hits in the three-game series. The junior duo of Jimmy Roche and Conner
Henderson hit a combined .347 with three runs scored and an RBI.
 
In the series finale Roche led the Broncos at the plate going 1-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Drew Devine drew two walks and scored one run while going 1-for-2 at the plate. WMU had three different players register RBIs on
Sunday with Grys, Roche and junior Connor Smith each earning one.
 
The Broncos got a solid start from senior LHP Jacob Piechota who went five innings allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out two. Piechota retired seven of the final eight batters he faced including seven straight.
 
Piechota's counterpart Ryan Beard went four innings allowing six hits and two earned runs. Beard was the Region 18 Pitcher of the Year at College of Southern Idaho last season. The Broncos are on the road next weekend, heading to Buies Creek, N.C. for three games against Miami, Campbell and Yale.
 
Western Michigan raced out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning as the Broncos rattled off four straight hits. Roche roped a single to left field that scored Devine for the first run of the ballgame. It was the first RBI of the season for Roche.
 
Junior Connor Smith tallied the second run of the inning, beating out a double play ball and scoring fellow junior Andrew Stone from third. WMU loaded the bases later in the inning before a strikeout ended the scoring chance. In the third the Brown & Gold sent eight batters to the plate, scoring two runs on four hits.
 
It didn't take long for Purdue to respond as Skyler Hunter laced a triple off the wall in the right field corner to score the runner from first with two outs in the bottom of the third.  Jacson McGown scored Hunter from third the next at-bat with a single up the middle to tie the game at 2-2.
 
The Broncos regained the lead in the top of the fifth as WMU loaded the bases with no outs. After a slow hit ball to the pitcher by junior Nate Grys, a throwing error by the Purdue catcher allowed Roche to score from second to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead.
 
Purdue recorded back to back hits to open up the bottom of the sixth inning and left runners on the corner with no outs. A wild pitch by senior Jimmy Townsend-Chase scored the runner from third and tied the game before a sacrifice fly by Purdue's Evan Kennedy gave the Boilermakers their first lead of the day.
 
Two batters later with the bases loaded, pinch hitter Owen Jansen delivered a two RBI double down the right field line to extend Purdue's lead to 6-3. In the sixth, Purdue sent nine to the plate and scored four runs on four hits.
 
WMU registered its final run in the top of the seventh as Grys hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Roche from third to cut the Boilermaker lead to 6-4. Purdue responded once again with two runs in the seventh and eighth to extend its lead. Through the final four innings, Purdue scored eight runs on eight hits.
 
Morehead State 3, Ball State 2
Boxscore
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – With the wind blowing in from center field Sunday afternoon at Shipyard Park, the finale of the season opening Shipyard Classic between the Ball State baseball team and Morehead State turned into a pitching battle. Morehead State tallied the winning run in the ninth inning to pull out a 3-2 victory.
 
All three teams competing at the Shipyard Classic went 2-2 during the three-day event. Ball State (2-2) defeated UMass Lowell twice while UMass Lowell took down Morehead State two times. Morehead State (2-2) finished the circle by holding Ball State's offense in check on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The Eagles took a 2-0 lead thanks to a run courtesy of a wild pitch in the second inning and a sacrifice fly ball in the sixth.
 
Ball State finally got some offense going in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior William Baker plated the Cardinals' first run on a sharp RBI double down the left field line to score senior Colin Brockhouse. Two batters later, junior John Ricotta came through with a two-out RBI single to even the contest at 2-all. Morehead State had held Ball State scoreless in 14 consecutive innings before the two-run frame.
 
Both teams had chances to score in the seventh and eighth innings, but neither squad could come up with the go-ahead hit.
 
Finally, Morehead State's Hunter Fain found a hole through the left side of the infield with one out in the top of the ninth to plate pinch runner Bryce Hensor with the winning run.
 
On the mound, Ball State newcomer Garrett Simmons held Morehead State to three hits and two runs in 5.1 innings in his first start with the Cardinals. The Eagles' JC Hatcher earned the win after wiggling out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
Baker led Ball State's offense in the four games, going 10-for-16 (.625) at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Senior Seth Freed led the team with four RBIs.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action next weekend in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic hosted by New Orleans. Ball State will face the host Privateers, Iowa and Virginia Tech.
 
Rider 6, Ohio 5 (11)
Boxscore

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Ohio baseball team (2-2) suffered a 6-5 setback to Rider (2-2) in 11 innings in the weekend series finale between the two teams on Sunday (Feb. 18) at Lexington County Stadium.
 
The Bobcats split the 2018 opening-weekend series with the Broncs. Ohio bounced back 6-4 loss to Rider in the season opener on Friday (Feb. 16) by taking both games of a Saturday (Feb. 17) doubleheader by scores of 10-2 and 6-5.
 
With the game knotted at four-all, Sunday's ninth inning saw Ohio strand a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the frame and Rider ground into an inning-ending double play after putting two on with nobody out, sending the game to extras.
 
In the top of the 10th, senior left fielder Evan Bourn (Overland Park, Kan.) hit a two-out single and stole second, and junior center fielder Devon Garcia (Bowling Green, Ohio) drew a walk to put two on for the Bobcats. Both runners moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch, but Ohio could not push across a run.
 
Rider had an opportunity to walk off in the home half of the 10th. Sophomore catcher Tyler Stockwell led off with a base hit to left, then was lifted in favor of senior pinch runner Dallas Clark. Clark then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman left fielder Lou Priolo. One out later, Clark scampered toward home plate on a single to center by junior shortstop Richie Tecco but could not beat the throw from Garcia to redshirt freshman catcher Dan McCauley (Pittsburgh, Pa.), sending the contest to the 11th inning.
 
Ohio took a 5-4 lead in the top of the 11th when junior first baseman Rudy Rott (Holmen, Wis.) coaxed a leadoff walk and scored two outs later on a double to center field by sophomore shortstop Trevor Hafner (Perrysburg, Ohio).
 
The Bobcats' lead did not hold up, though. Sophomore second baseman Kyle Johnson and sophomore right fielder Joe Simone drew back-to-back walks to begin the bottom half of the inning. Senior center fielder Harrison McClure evened the score when he singled through the left side to bring in Johnson. Simone was thrown out at the plate by senior third baseman Tony Giannini (Carmel, Ind.) when junior designated hitter Riley Mihalik reached on a fielder's choice. McClure advanced to third on the play, though, setting up a walk-off sacrifice fly to left served up senior first baseman Jake Bender, lifting Rider to the victory.
 
Ohio held a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. After the Broncs plated two runs on RBI singles by Priolo and freshman third baseman Jake Barbiere to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Ohio evened the score with a pair of runs of its own in the fifth. Giannini led off with a double to left, moved to third on a single to center by Hafner and then scored the Bobcats' first run on a base hit to right by freshman second baseman Aaron Levy. One out later, Hafner scored the tying run from third by way of a bunt single by Bourn. Ohio then took a two-run lead in the ensuing inning. Redshir senior designated hitter Michael Klein (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Giannini hit back-to-back one-out singles to center. After Levy was hit by a pitch to load the bases one out later, redshirt sophomore right fielder Ryan Sargent (Algonquin, Ill.) delivered a two-RBI single up the middle to plate both Klein and Giannini and give the Bobcats a two-run advantage.
 
Rider answered with a run in the home half of the frame, then plated another in the seventh to tie the game again. Barbiere was hit by a pitch with one out in the sixth then scored one out later on a single through the left side by Johnson. McClure then evened the score with a leadoff homer in the seventh.
 
Both teams had opportunities to regain control of the contest in the ninth, but it took extras for the Broncs to ultimately prevail. Junior Eric Schulte was credited with the pitching win for Rider, striking out two while permitting one earned run on one hit and one walk. Redshirt junior CJ Hirschy got the start on the mound for the Broncs, fanning four over 4.1 innings but allowing two earned runs on four hits. Junior Jordan Silverman surrendered two earned runs on four hits over 1.2 innings of relief. He struck out three. Junior Nick Payesko and freshman Vincent Vitacco combined to toss 4.0 scoreless innings of relief for Rider. Payesko allowed two hits and a walk in one inning while Vitacco struck out five and gave up three hits and three walks.
 
Freshman right-hander Chace Harris (New Marshfield, Ohio) suffered the loss on the mound for Ohio, giving up two earned runs on a hit and two walks in the bottom of the 11th. Redshirt freshman Cole Shinsky (Butler, Pa.) made his first career start on the mound and was one of seven pitchers used by the Bobcats. Shinsky gave up two hits and a walk in two innings. Sophomore southpaw Derek Carr (Newark, Ohio) allowed two earned runs on two hits and two walks in 1.2 innings of relief. Redshirt junior righty Nick Kamrada (Grand Ledge, Mich.) fanned one and walked three over 1.1 frames. Freshman lefty Sebastian Fabik (Lebanon, Ohio) struck out one while surrendering one earned run on one hit in one inning of relief. Senior righty Logan Jacik (Omaha, Neb.) gave up one earned run on one hit. Freshman right-hander Eddie Kutt (Westlake, Calif.) gave Ohio four scoreless innings of relief, striking out three while allowing three hits and one walk.
 
Sargent finished the game with two singles, a walk and two RBIs. Giannini and Hafner each posted a double and a single, with Giannni scoring two runs and Hafner driving in a run and scoring another. Bourn went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Redshirt senior catcher Nick Bredeson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) also produced a multi-hit effort for the Bobcats with a pair of singles.
 
McClure was Rider's top performer at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored.
 
The Bobcats will head to Atlanta to play four games against Maine next weekend (Feb. 23-25) at Perfect Game's LakePoint facility in Emerson, Ga.

Florida Gulf Coast 8, Eastern Michigan 7
Boxscore
FT. MYERS, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – For the third time in the four-game series, the Eastern Michigan University baseball team lost in heartbreaking walk-off fashion to Florida Gulf Coast University, this time in a 8-7 score, Sunday afternoon, Feb. 18, at Swanson Stadium.
 
EMU (0-4) once again had a late lead, as they were up 6-4 in the eighth inning. A three-run homer from FGCU (4-0) put them back ahead going into the ninth, but EMU rallied to send it to the bottom of the ninth. There, FGCU was clutch for the third time on the weekend, getting a walk-off single to complete the sweep.
 
The Green and White had another efficient offensive effort, spreading nine hits among six batters, while also drawing eight walks. Junior John Rensel Jr. (Tallmadge, Ohio-Tallmadge) led the way, as he reached base in all five at bats, notching two hits and three walks, along with an RBI. Sophomore Nick Jones (Battle Creek, Mich.-Lakeview) added a two-hit, three-RBI day, while junior Cameron Cruz (Chandler, Ariz.- Hamilton (Mesa C.C.)) also tallied two hits, including his first career EMU home run.
 
On the hill, senior Luke DeVenney (Des Moines, Iowa-Dowling Catholic) had a solid first start of the year, taking a no decision after going the first five, allowing three runs with three strikeouts.
 
EMU took advantage of some wild pitching from FGCU in the first inning, as they loaded the bases on three walks. Nick Jones capitalized on the situation, driving in a pair to yield Eastern the 2-0 lead early on. As they have all weekend, FGCU responded almost immediately, driving in two of its own on three hits to tie it after just one inning.
 
The Green and White jumped back ahead in the next frame, as a walk and sacrifice bunt placed a runner on second. With two outs, sophomore Drake Peggs (Knightstown, Ind.-Knightstown Community) doubled him in to get the lead back, 3-2. DeVenney pitched a quick second inning, with his first two strikeouts, to send it to the third.
 
In the third, EMU loaded the bases up once again on three straight walks, but FGCU escaped without any damage this time with an infield pop out and fly out, to keep it a one-run game. DeVenney cruised through the third, retiring his seventh straight batter, to keep the lead intact.
 
Eastern's lead extended in the fourth as it capitalized on some FGCU miscues. Sophomore Devin Hager (Commerce Township, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) led off the frame with a single, and he came around to score on the next at-bat. Cruz laid down a sac bunt, which the FGCU third baseman misplayed. On the bunt, Hager went to take third, and a wild throw sailed away, allowing him to score.
 
FGCU got back to within one in the fourth inning, scoring on a bases loaded sacrifice fly. DeVenney got out of the jam though, keeping the 4-3 lead into the middle innings. In the fifth, he gave up a leadoff walk, but a slick 5-4-3 double play ended any threat, sending it to the sixth.
 
After EMU went to the pen to start the sixth, FGCU tied up the game at four on a bases loaded single. Freshman Thomas House (Okeana, Ohio-Ross), who was making his college debut out of the bullpen, got the final batter looking on strikes to prevent any further damage.
 
Getting out of the jam proved big as EMU recaptured the lead in the top of the seventh. Junior Max Schuemann (Portage, Mich.-Portage Northern) led off with a single, his 11th hit in four games, and worked his way around to third on a steal and failed pick off. Rensel was there to drive him home on a single down the line, putting the Green and White back up, 5-4, going into the stretch.
 
House was efficient in the seventh, getting three quick outs while stranding a runner on second, who reach on an error. EMU got some insurance in the eighth as Cruz blasted a solo shot to left field. His first homer in a green and white uniform put EMU ahead by two with two innings to play.
 
FGCU had the late-inning magic once again though, smacking a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, to take a 7-6 lead into the ninth. This time, Eastern had the comeback, as they tied it up in the ninth.
 
Sophomore Zachary Owings (Saline, Mich.-Saline) led off by reaching on an error, and Rensel singled, to reach base for the fifth time, setting up Nick Jones. He delivered with an RBI single up the middle, plating Owings and sending it to the bottom of the ninth with the 7-7 score. FGCU, for the third time in the four-game set, walked off with the win as a lead off hit by pitch came around to score on a single, dealing EMU the 8-7 defeat.
 
Eastern gets back into action in the Sunshine State this Tuesday, Feb. 20, when it takes on NCAA Division II member Lynn University for a midweek game. First pitch in Boca Raton, Fla. is set for 2:30 p.m.
 
Sam Houston State 12, Kent State 6
Boxscore
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Trailing 5-0, the defending regional champion Sam Houston State Bearkats flexed some major offensive muscle against the KSU pitching staff, ending the game on a 12-1 scoring run to race away from the Golden Flashes, 12-6 in the rubber game of the season-opening series.
 
With momentum seemingly all on its side after a dramatic win on Friday night, Kent State (1-2) was shut down offensively on Saturday and then lost the slugfest on Sunday. The Golden Flashes were able to strike first in the decisive third game, taking a big lead early on, but were done in by two lopsided frames late. The Bearkats (2-1) scored five in the fifth and rolled a seven in the sixth to pull away.
 
"It's never ideal to start the season losing a series," head coach Jeff Duncan said. "But at the same time, this was our first time outside against a returning super regional opponent who some people have going to Omaha this year. We did some things well and we obviously have some things to work on."
 
In KSU's four-run third, Brad Hamilton smoked his first home run of the season (and the day) and Nick Kanavas followed with a two-run single on an 0-2 pitch to increase the lead to 3-0. The Golden Flashes then executed a double steal with Kanavas swiping second and Mason Mamarella scampering home for the 4-0 advantage. Hamilton clubbed his second homer in as many innings to lead off the fourth as KSU sailed out in front, 5-0.
 
However, Flashes starter Jared Skolnicki wasn't able to keep the Bearkats' bats at bay as the hosts roared back to tie it with a five-run fifth. And after Kent State temporarily moved back in front on an unearned run in the sixth, Sam Houston State took command for good with a seven-run sixth.
 
The Bearkats' bullpen responded from a rough outing Friday night to shut Kent State out over the final 3 and a third innings.
 
UAB 6, Bowling Green 2
Boxscore
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The Bowling Green State University baseball team concluded its opening-weekend series at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sunday (Feb. 18) afternoon. The Falcons were defeated by the Blazers, 6-2, as UAB claimed all three games on the weekend.
 
UAB posted a bases-clearing double with two outs in the first, which allowed the Blazers to take a quick 3-0 lead. Both schools plated one run apiece in the fourth, before Alabama-Birmingham took a 6-1 lead with two more runs in the sixth. The Falcons concluded the game's scoring with a single run in the seventh.
 
"This is not how we wanted to start our season," said head coach Danny Schmitz. "We played well this weekend in stretches, but you aren't going to win baseball games unless you can execute for a full nine innings."
 
For the second time in as many games, Bowling Green hit a home run. Redshirt-junior Jeff Scott crushed a solo shot to left field in the seventh. Scott drove in both runs for the Orange and Brown on the day, as he also posted a sacrifice fly in the fourth.